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Authorities discovered a panga boat that had been abandoned along the shore at Arroyo Quemada Beach by Refugio early Sunday morning, this one bearing about 2,500 to 3,000 pounds of baled marijuana. Most of the pot — worth an estimated $4 million on the street — had been transported from the boat to an access road about one quarter-mile from the boat.

Panga on Arroyo Quemada Beach

David Wales, an investigator with the Department of Homeland security, speculated that “something must have spooked” the crew offloading the marijuana, as well as the group coming to pick it up. No arrests have been made, no suspects detained. “They got out of Dodge,” Wales said.

The boat came equipped with two outboard engines, but one of the engines shrouds, he noted, had been knocked off, perhaps by the waves. Wales said the boat and bales were discovered early Sunday morning and the Sheriff’s Office was notified at 7:30 am. “There were no people in the vicinity when we arrived,” he said.

Last week, authorities discovered a damaged panga boat and about $2.7 million worth of marijuana on a beach located on Vandenberg Air Force Base.

do something with these boats, like sell them to the public after they have been swept for evidence. I'm not a boat expert but I imagine a boat capable of traveling long distance on rough seas with 2500 lbs of cargo plus crew is not a cheap piece of equipment. Especially when both motors (seen these with four 250 hp motors) are in working order.

Ken - exactly! The reason we're seeing more of these is because of demand (although I'm not sure what self-respecting local stoner would be smoking that brick weed). That demand was only increased by the closing of dispensaries. So, thanks to our own DA and "Chief" of police, we've got pangas landing on our beaches (and military bases, yikes!) and posing who knows what kind of new threat of violence against our families.